Though many analysts are down on Dabo Swinney’s team after a disappointing 7-6 campaign in 2025, legendary former Alabama coach and current ESPN analyst Nick Saban is optimistic about Clemson entering the 2026 season.

Saban had some praise for Clemson ahead of its highly anticipated Week 1 matchup against LSU, saying he expects Swinney’s squad to show major improvement from last year.

Saban pointed to Clemson having excellent players at some key positions, specifically in the wide receiver corps and on defense.

Saban, a seven-time national championship coach who led Alabama to six national titles, also highlighted Swinney as a “really good coach” and alluded to Swinney’s hire of Chad Morris to replace Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator.

Saban sees increased maturity in the team, as well.

“I also think Clemson is going to be a lot better than they were,” Saban said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I think they’ve got a lot of returning players. I think they were young last year. I think they’ve got a little more maturity as a team.

“I think Dabo is a really good coach. I think changing offensive coordinators, having a new offensive coordinator — I know he has a new quarterback — but they have really good players in some critical positions, especially on defense and at the receiver corps. So, I do think they’ll be a lot better.”

Tonight’s game between Clemson and LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC. LSU enters the matchup as a 10.5-point favorite.

Both programs are eyeing bounce-back seasons after going 7-6 in 2025. But LSU, entering Year 1 under head coach Lane Kiffin with a heavily revamped roster, carries high expectations into the season as the No. 11 team in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, while Clemson is unranked in that poll for the first time since 2011.